Tectonic stress distribution and its control on fracture development in the Jurassic–Cretaceous succession of the Kuqa foreland area, Tarim Basin

CAO Yingchang; HUAN Zhipeng; LIU Yin; SUN Xiaolong; WANG Jian

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026119

Volume 32 Issue 5

Oct. 2026

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CAO Y C，HUAN Z P，LIU Y，et al.，2026. Tectonic stress distribution and its control on fracture development in the Jurassic–Cretaceous succession of the Kuqa foreland area, Tarim Basin[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，32（5）：1027−1048 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026119

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Tectonic stress distribution and its control on fracture development in the Jurassic–Cretaceous succession of the Kuqa foreland area, Tarim Basin

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026119

CAO Yingchang^{1, 2
,},
HUAN Zhipeng^{1, 2, 3
,},
LIU Yin^{1, 2
,
,},
SUN Xiaolong^{1, 2
,},
WANG Jian^{1, 2
,}

1.
Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China
2.
School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China
3.
Tarim Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Korla 841000, Xinjiang, China

Funds: This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42488101 and 42472192) and the National Science and Technology Major Project (Grant Nos. 2025ZD140050203 and 2025ZD140050205).

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Author Bio:
操应长，二级教授，博士生导师。2023年获第十八次李四光地质科学奖科研奖。现任中国石油大学（华东）副校长、油气储层研究中心和山东省泰山学者团队负责人。长期从事含油气盆地沉积学、储层地质学、非常规油气地质学等教学和科研工作，作为项目负责人先后承担了国家油气重大专项课题、国家自然科学联合基金重点项目、中国石油重大科技专项等，已在陆相湖盆层序地层与深水沉积砂体、储层流岩作用与油气储层成储机制、界面水微滴与有机-无机相互作用等领域形成了特色研究方向和国际重要影响的学术成果。在Nature Communications、PNAS、Sedimentology、GSA Bulletin、Earth-Sciences Reviews、AAPG Bulletin、中国科学：地球科学等期刊公开发表学术论文400余篇，其中被SCI收录200余篇，公开出版《陆相湖盆深水重力流沉积作用》《断陷湖盆层序地层学》等学术专著6部，授权发明专利20余件；研究成果获国家科技进步奖二等奖2项、国家教学成果二等奖2项、省部级科技进步奖一等奖3项。任国务院学位委员会第八、九届地质资源与地质工程学科评议组成员和《古地理学报》副主编、《石油勘探与开发》等期刊编委，先后获评中国地质学会会士、有突出贡献中青年专家、享受国务院政府特殊津贴等
Received: 2026-08-20
Revised: 2026-09-25
Accepted: 2026-09-28

Available Online: 2026-09-29

Published: 2026-10-28

Abstract

Abstract

Objective The clastic reservoirs in the Kuqa Depression are generally tight, making tectonic fractures crucial for identifying high-quality reservoirs and understanding hydrocarbon enrichment patterns. However, fracture development is highly heterogeneous under the influence of a complex tectonic stress field. This study aims to clarify the distribution patterns of tectonic stress in the Kuqa foreland area and elucidate how stress variations control fracture development and distribution. Methods The Cretaceous Bashijiqike Formation in the Kelasu structural belt and the Jurassic Ahe Formation in the Dibei area were selected as the study targets. Structural analysis, numerical simulation of the tectonic stress field, and quantitative fracture characterization were integrated to investigate stress distribution and evaluate the effects of stress variations and structural styles on fracture development. Results The macroscopic stress field can be divided into three zones: the northern detachment-release zone, the central fault-fold concentration zone, and the southern tectonically confined compressional zone. Stress heterogeneity within each zone is jointly controlled by fault assemblages, fold deformation, and the detachment along evaporite layers. This stress zonation strongly controls fracture development. The northern detachment-release zone is dominated by low-density, hinge-orthogonal, and oblique fractures; the central fault-fold concentration zone features widely developed fractures with complex attitudes; and the southern tectonically confined compressional zone is characterized by E-W segmented, hinge-parallel fractures. This spatial distribution reflects a genetic transition of fractures from north to south, shifting from strike-slip accommodation and local fault-related origins to fold-deformation-related origins. Furthermore, structural styles within a single stress zone play a critical role in regulating local stress differentiation and fracture development. Fractures are most developed with optimal connectivity in back-thrust structures, followed by imbricate structures, while counter-thrust structures exhibit the least developed fractures with poor effectiveness. Conclusions This study reveals the critical role of tectonic stress in controlling fracture development and hydrocarbon enrichment. Significance This study can provide theoretical support and practical references for reservoir evaluation and hydrocarbon accumulation in areas of complex stress in foreland basins.
- tectonic stress field,
- structural style,
- fracture network,
- Kuqa Depression,
- Bashijiqike Formation,
- Ahe Formation

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